THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 9 



Independent of their ancient mailers the Abyflinians, have 

 wrefted fo many provinces from them, and, from the differ- 

 ence of their faith, hold them in fuch utter contempt, 

 fhould neverthelefs be content to call themfelves their flaves, 

 fo nothing is more true, than that this name of Gibberti 

 has a very different import. Jabber, in Arabic, the word 

 from which it is derived, fignifies \\\Q.faith^ or the true faith; 

 and Gibberti confequently means the faithful^ or the orthodox^ 

 by which name of honour thefe moors, inhabiting the low 

 country of Abyflinia, call each other, as being conllant in 

 their faith amidft Chriftians with whom they are at per- 

 petual war. 



There is no current coin in Abyffniia. Gold is paid by 

 weight ; all the revenues are chiefly paid in kind, viz. oxen, 

 jQieep, and honey, which arc the grcatcft neceffaries of life. 

 As for luxuries, they are obtained by a barter of gold, 

 myrrh, coffee, elephants teeth, and a variety of other articles 

 which arc carried over to Arabia ; and in exchange for thefe 

 is brought back whatever is commiilioned. 



EvERi' great man in Abyflinia has one of thefe Gibbertis 

 for his fador. The king has many, who are commonly the 

 Ihrewdeft and mofl; intelligent of their profefllon. Thefe 

 were the firft inhabitants of Abyffmia, whom commerce 

 connedled with the Arabians on the other fide of the Straits 

 of Babelmandeb, with whom they intermarry, or with one 

 another, which preferves their colour and features, refem- 

 bling both the Abyflanians and Arabians. In Arabia, they 

 are under the protection of fome of their own countrymen, 

 who being fold when young as flaves, are brought up in 

 tlie Mahometan religion, and enjoy all the principal pofts 



Vol, II. B under 



